The White House's initiative to end sexual assault on campus

May 1, 2014

"Colleges and universities can no longer turn a blind eye or pretend rape or sexual assault does not occur on campus."

Those words came from Vice President Biden at an event announcing findings by the White House's Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. This first-of-its-kind task force launched in late January and is aimed at preventing and responding to incidents of sexual assault on college campuses.

The administration also released a new video, urging an end to sexual assault on college campuses. The Vice President was joined in the video by President Obama, Daniel Craig, Seth Myers, Benicio Del Toro, Steve Carrell, and Dulé Hill. Check it out below:

The task force, headed up by the Vice President and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett, is working to provide long-term education and tools for colleges across the country to respond and prevent incidents of sexual assault. In their findings, the task force listed a series of actions that the White House can take to move that goal forward by helping colleges and universities to effectively to survivors of assault, and improving the government's federal enforcement efforts.

The task force announced the launch of a new website, NotAlone.gov, which includes resources for students and universities so that everyone knows their rights and the policies regarding sexual assault on campuses.

Check out NotAlone.gov to learn more about how the White House is working to prevent sexual assault and how you can help.

And if you or someone you know has had an experience with sexual violence, know you're never alone. If you need help now, don't hesitate: Check out the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network's resources, including a 24/7 crisis support hotline for victims of sexual assault, their friends, and families: http://www.rainn.org/get-help